The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1887-11-26
THE AUTUMN ELECTIONS.
1From Harper's Weekly.l

from Harpeis Weeky.l
Every state and local election IN tnls
conntry ia estimated in reference 10 tne
relatiye strength of the national parues
which il discloses, and as an lndication
Of national results. There was pecu'
liar interest in the late election, arising
from general ignorance OF the ac.uai
political situation, and there was
General unwillingness positively 10
forecast the result But now that the
result is known, its significance Is piaih.
The chief center of interest was ne"
York. because its electoral vote ls ap-
parently indispensable to the eiectioh
of a republican presidential Candidate.
The republicans conducted the cam
paipu upon this theory. They knew
thai the chiet democratic oppositlon TO
the president was in bis own state, that
fine labor movement would weaken the
democrats, and that thousands OF anti
Cleveland democrats would sec with
eouanimity a democratic defeat, Oe
cause it would impair the prestige OF
the administration and weaken The
chance of the president's denomination.
The republicans, on the other hand,
nnder the Blaine leadership of MI.
Platt. were really fighting for the NOM
ination of Mr.. Blaine next year. Al
the last moment the president appear
ed in personal urgency OF the worst
local nomination OF his party. Inls
action softened the party ieehhs
against him, and although he was re-
buked by the fact that the vote OF Inc
candidate whose election ne personally
recommended fell far behind that oi
the other democratic candidates., the
democrats carried the state by large
| " Increased plurality, and the labor
vote shrank to Q point which shows
that it will not hold the balance Of
power next year.
The result OF the election in New
York, therefore, is of national lmpor'
tance. 1t settles the nomination OF the
nresident by acclamation, and 1t makes
the nomination Of MIR. Blaine extremely
improbable. 1t does more. 1t sug
gests the question whether party
apparently forced to desert the candi
dale whom it undoubtedly prefers Il
not a party in decadence. The election
this wear seems to show pretty plaini!
} that the republican party upon plat
form of high protection and vast sur
plus, with it's demoralizing distribution
] and with Mr.. Blaine as its candidate
would be defeated. There il csrtainl
. no indication whatever that such
S platform and candidacy would wi
q from the democrats the state OF NeI
r York or any other state that they nov
g hold. and since an increase OF republ
Il can votes in republican states woul
n be of no avail, it is not easy to see ho'
a a republican manifesto would be
V earnest of victory. The New Yor
9 Tribune says that within ten miie
r of the New York city hall is to Z
: found "whatever hold the solid sop'
l. has upon the government OF the coul
try" But if within that area II
. election of next year will be decided
% is the result of this year likely TO
:. changed by Blaine candidacy ana
N promise of high taxation3 The gener
}. result Of the election. by giving sen
- of greater security to the democrat
le party, will tend to the presentation
or definite policy during the comil
Or session OF congress. The president
IN nomination being practically assure
I'd lintrigues and opposition will general
is cease, and his recommendations W
s. be accepted as the policy of the part
ed An executive recommendation
ne reduction of the surplus by reasonat
1t. revision of the tariff if bafhed by t
a republican senate would not impro
On republican prospects. No party C
Ell successfully ask for popular suppt
IN upon platform of high taxation a
IT. a corrupting surplus merely because
'ly calls it protection of American lat
,ly or sneers at it as three cent burd'